Electrical plug receptacle for remote control of loads



Aug. 21, 1951 J. M. HARCHAREK 2,565,075

ELECTRICAL PLUG RECEPTACLE FOR REMOTE CONTROL OF LOADS Filed Dec. 51,1948 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 F76. 1. F/ G. 2.

. i1 F l/vfl 27 Z7 i a T 3/ "r"-T U'T'll'll F I INVENTOR. JOSE PH M.HAECHABE C BY y/ wwfimzvmm Aug. 21, 1951 J M. HARCHAREK 2,565,075

ELECTRICAL PLUG RECEPTACLE F OR REMOTE CONTROL OF LOADS- Filed Dec. 31,1948 2 Sheets-Sheet 2- H h 236 A QE 5 D 7 tdsz 50 I //h F/ G. 8. QEE121: 30 3o INVENTOR. JOSEPH M. finecflnes/g Mz'a am Patented Aug. 21,1951 ELECTRICAL PLUG RECEPTACLE FOR REMOTE CONTROL OF LOADS Joseph M.Harcharek, Upper Darby, Pa.

Application December 31, 1948, Serial No. 68,595

3 Claims.

This invention relates to electrical plug receptacles, and moreparticularly to a plug receptacle providing means for connecting aswitch or other device in series with a load, so that the load may beremotely controlled.

A main object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved plugreceptacle enabling switches or other control devices to be inserted inseries with a load device without breaking the line cord wires leadingto the load device, whereby said load device may be convenientlycontrolled from one or more points remote therefrom.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved plugconnector device which can be included in an electrical circuit toestablish remote control circuits for a load without the use of toolsand in a simple manner, said connector device including means forestablishing connections with loads additional to that being remotelycontrolled.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparentfrom the following description and claims, and from the accompanyingdrawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view, taken on line ll of Figure2, showing the internal details of a plug receptacle device constructedin accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken through the device ofFigure 1, on line 22 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is an elevational view of a plug which fits into the receptacleopenings of the device shown in Figures 1 and 2.

Figure 4 is a bottom plan view of the plug illustrated in Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a combined perspective view and schematic diagram showinghow the electrical conductors of the structure shown in Figures 1 to 4are connected into an electrical load circuit.

Figure 6 is a view showing the pre-engaging relationship between theplug receptacle device of Figures 1 and 2, a multiplicity of plugs suchas shown in Figures 3 and 4, and a wall receptacle.

Figure '7 is a combined perspective view and schematic diagram similarto Figure 5 but employing a modified form of plug receptacle device inaccordance with the present invention.

Figure 8 is a view similar to Figure 6 but showing a still furthermodified form of the present invention.

Figure 9 is a view similar to Figure 6 but showing how the plugreceptacle of either Figure l or Figure 7 may be employed with ascrew-type socket.

Referring to the drawings, numerals H and I2 designate metallic prongconductors of standard size and spacing for engaging into electricalconnection with commonly used Wall plug receptacles, such as isdesignated by numeral [3 of Figure 6. Designated at I4 is a metallic barconductor extending at right angles to prong ll, mechanically andelectrically connected thereto by any suitable rigid securing means suchas rivets, welds, or bracing. Designated at I6 is a metallic barconductor extending parallel to and spaced from bar conductor I4.Conductor I5 is connected to prong 12 by means of a strap bar I5bridging bar 14, as shown in Figure 2. Connected to and depending frombar 16 is a hooked spring female contact bar ll. The adjacent ends ofbars l4 and I6 are also formed to define spring contact elements havingthe same standard spacing as prongs II and [2, whereby they may beemployed as female contact elements for standard electric plugs, as willbe subsequently described.

Designated at I8 is a female contact bar located adjacent to one end ofbar It on the side opposite to bar l4. Secured to bar [8 and extendingat right angles thereto is a female contact bar 19 extending parallel tobar I! on one side thereof. Designated at 2| is a female contact barlocated adjacent the other end of bar [6. Secured to bar 2| andextending at right angles thereto is a female contact bar 20 extendingparallel to bar I! on the side opposite to bar l9. Thus there is definedthree female contact systems each being engageable by the prongs of aplug such as is shown in Figures 3 and 4 at 30, said plug having theprongs 22, 23 and 24. The prongs 22, 23 and 24 may engage the respectivefemale contact elements l1, l9 and 20 or the respective female contactelements at the two opposite lateral sides of the plug receptacledevice.

The conductors shown in Figures 1 and 2 are supported mechanically andare simultaneously insulated electrically from each other wherevernecessary by body members, shown at 25 and 26 of suitable insulatingmaterial such as plastic, ceramic, or the like, said body members beingheld together by suitable means such as. bolts 2! and nuts 28. The bodymembers are formed with suitable grooves or recesses for receiving thepre-assembled conductors prior to the assembly of the aforesaid bodymembers, said recesses defining wall apertures adjacent the respectivefemale contact elements wherein the prongs of the plugs 30 may bereceived.

If so desired, the conductors may be molded into 3 a single body memberformed with openings at the respective female contact elements.

In employing the plug receptacle device, the prongs II and [2 may beinserted into a conventional Wall receptacle, whereby said prongs areconnected to a power line, as shown in Figure 5. The load, which may bea lamp or other appliance is designated at 29. Said' load is providedwith a conventional line cord having atwo-prong plug which is pluggedinto the device at female contact elements ll and I9. is a single poledouble throw switch having. a three wire line cord provided with a plug.3.9.. This plug is inserted in the device at the female contact elementsat one lateral side of the device, thereby engaging bars I8, lfiand I4to establish the circuit shown at the left side of Figure 5. From Figure5 it will be seen that the pole of switch 30' may be employed toelectrically connectfemale element It to either'contactbar" l4, wherebythe load 29 is energized, or to bar; l6, whereby the. loadis shunted anddeenergized. The. load may be in one part of a room and'the switchfill'may be in another part of the room, therebyaffording remote control ofthe load.

If the load is. instead-connected to female contact elements [9 and 2 3,as. shown indottedv view at, 29 in Figure 5,.and an additionalsinglepoledoublethrow switch 3!- is employed, connected to the side of. the.receptacle. device opposite. to switch. 35)." in themannerjshown at theright side of Figure 5., the load 29 may be controlled from either:switch 3|! or switch 3 i.

It will be noted that in accordance with the Wiring scheme of Figure5,the; pole of switch 3.0 is connected tofemalecontact element i8, onestationary contact. thereof is connected to bar 16', and the otherstationary contact thereof is connected to. bar it. Similarly the poleof switch 3|. is connectedto female element 21: and the stationarycontacts thereof are respectively con nected'toxbars: l6 and Ill. -Whenonly one switch isemployed, the. connection to bar It: may be omittedand the load will be energized from female contact elements H and it, asshown in full line view in Figure 5,; To use two switches, the: loadmusti'be. disconnected from female contact H1 and connected acrosscontacts IS and 28; as shown in. dotted view.

The: device may be. employed as an ordinary cube: tap by engagingconventional. two-prong plugs: with the: respective pairs of female;contact elements-:at: the; oppositeendsv of the bars M: and IS.

The plug receptacle may be inserted into a lamp socket such as. shown at32 inFigure' 9, instead of: a. convenience outlet by engaging on prongs;l I and I2; a conventional screw type plug 33, which enables. the deviceto, be then screwed into any standard lamp socket. A female lamp socket34' may be electrically connected to either prongs I.T and. i9: orprongs fl and 2&3, enabling a lamp 35 screwed therein to be remotelycontrolled from either one or two points, as? above described.

Instead of employing the standard prong spac-- ing of prongs. IE and I2shown in Figures 1 and 6,, the prongs may be spaced apart so as toengage theouterenda prong receptacles of a double socket such as: shownat 36 in Figure 8. The prongs, shown. at H and I 2', are electricallyconnected to the respective conductors l4 and Hi in the same manner as;described in connection with Figure. 1, but are mechanically connectedto these conductors. to provide suificient spacing so as to engage inthe outer prong receptacles Designated at 3d 4 of the double socket 36.The arrangement of Figure 8 provides a centered position of the plug-inreceptacle device with respect to the double socket.

Figure '7 illustrates a modified form of the plug receptacle devicewhich provides control of a load 31 from two different locations bymeans of the: respective; single-pole double-throw switches 38 and 39;In the modified form of the device shown in Figure '7, the numerals Mand 42 designate metallic prong conductors of standard size and spacing,Prong ll is connected by a bridging. strapsconductor G3 to a femalecontact element M. Prong 42 is connected by a similar bridgingstrapconductor 55 to a second female contactw element 46 parallel toelement at. Designatedat l! and -ill are the spaced transverseconductorbars which underlie but are insulated from the strap conductors13 and 45. Secured to prong 4i and extending at right.angles-theretodsafemalecontact. element 49, said element49 beingparallel to and spaced from the left end portion of bar 4-1, as.viewedin Figure 7-. Designated at 50 is a female contact element:parallel and spaced to the. rightof the female contact element 46, as.viewed in. Figure 7. Secured to element 50 and, extending at right;angles thereto is the female contact element: 5!, which is parallel toand spaced below the right. end portion of bar 4.8, as viewedin. Figure7. Theconductor elements are mountedin an insulating body shown indotted view at 52.

Where. no. remotecontrol of the. load is. desired, it: may, be.connected directly to the female contact elements 44 and 46. However, ifremote control of theloadis: desired,it is connected to thefemale.contactelementsdfi and 50, as shown in Figure 7, and, the respective.switches. 38 and; 3.9; are connected by suitable plugs, andcords to-the.respective left and right sides of the device. From Fig-'- ure; 7 it:will be: seen that the pole; of switch 38 is. connected; to. femalecontact: element 49 and the: stationary contacts thereof are; connectedrespectively to bars 4'! and-s8. The; pole of switch 39. is connected tofemale. contact element: 51 and the stationary contacts of. switch 39are con-- nectedtoithebars: 41 and4'8. Itrwill be seenfrom' Figure 7that. one terminal of. the load is connected through contact element 46,strap 25 and prong 42 to one of .the power supply wires; the other powersupply line wire may be connected to either conductor 4.1 or 4'3 bymeans of the movable poleof switch 3135.. The remaining terminal of theload 31 is connected through conl tact element 50, and contact element55 to the pole of switch 39. The pole of switch 39 may be moved intoelectrical connection with either condu'ctor' 41 or 48. With switch 38in a given position, the load may therefore be controlled by switch 38;-conversely, with switch 39' in a given position, saidload may becontrolled by switch 38.

While certain specific embodiments of plug-inreceptacles for providingremote control of an electrical load have been disclosed in theforegoing description, it will be understood that various modificationswithin the spirit of the invention may occur to those skilled in theart. Therefore, it is intended that no limitations be placed ontheinvention except as defined by the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

I. A plug-in receptacle device of the character described comprising aninsulating body member, a pair of parallel conductor bars secured insaid body member, a pair of spaced prongs secured respectively to saidconductor bars and projecting outwardly from one face of the bodymember, a first female contact element secured to one of the conductorbars within the body member and extending toward the opposite face ofthe body member, a second female contact element located Within the bodymember parallel to said first female contact element, a third femalecontact element secured within the body member to said second femalecontact element and extending toward a lateral face of the body memberand being parallel to an end portion of said one conductor bar, a fourthfemale contact element located within the body member parallel to saidfirst female contact element, a fifth female contact element securedwithin the body member to said fourth contact element and extendingtoward a lateral face of the body member and being parallel to anotherend portion of said one conductor bar, the respective ends of theconductor bars being formed to define female contact elements and thebody member being recessed adjacent the respective female contactelements to define apertures for the insertion of plugs, said conductorbars, prongs and first, second, third, fourth and fifth female contactelements being formed of flat bar stock and their axes lyingsubstantially in the same plane.

2. A plug-in receptacle device of the character described comprising aninsulating body member, a pair of parallel conductor bars secured insaid body member and extending substantially from one lateral face ofthe body member to the other, a pair of spaced prongs securedrespectively to said conductor bars and projecting outwardly from therear face of the body member, a first female contact element secured toone of the conductor bars within the body member and extending adjacentthe front face thereof, a second female contact element located withinthe body member parallel to said first female contact element, a thirdfemale contact element secured within the body member to said secondfemale element and extending adjacent one lateral face of said bodymember and extending parallel to one end portion of said one conductorbar but lying in a plane at right angles thereto, a fourth femalecontact element located within the body member extending parallel to andspaced from the first female contact element opposite to the secondfemale contact element but lying in a plane at right angles to saidfirst female contact element, and a fifth female contact element securedwithin the body member to said fourth female contact element extendingadjacent the remaining lateral face of the body member and extendingparallel to the adjacent end portion of said one conductor bar but lyingin a plane at right angles thereto, the ends of the conductor bars beingformed to define female contact elements and the body member beingrecessed adjacent to the respective female contact elements to defineapertures for the admission of prongs, said conductor bars, prongs andfirst, second, third, fourth and fifth female contact elements beingformed of flat bar stock and their axes lying substantially in the sameplane, the planes of said spaced prongs being perpendicular to theplanes of said conductor bars.

3. A plug-in receptacle device of the character described comprising apair of parallel conductor bars, a pair of parallel prongs connectedrespectively to the conductor bars and projecting respectively at rightangles thereto, a first female contact bar projecting from one of theconductor bars at right angles thereto in a direction opposite to thatof said prongs, a first set of female contact bars spaced on oppositesides of the first female contact bar and extending parallel thereto,and a second set of female contact bars secured respectively to theinner ends of the first set of female contact bars and extendingparallel and adjacent to the end portions of said one conductor bar, therespective ends of the conductor bars being formed to define femalecontact elements, said conductor bars, prongs and first and second setsof female contact bars being formed of flat bar stock and their axeslying substantially in the same plane, the planes of said spaced prongsbeing perpendicular to the planes of said conductor bars, at least oneof said first set of female contact bars lying in a plane at rightangles to the planes of the other of said first set of female contactbars, and said second set of female contact bars lying in a plane atright angles to the plane of said one conductor bar.

JOSEPH M. HARCHAREK.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the

